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Significant Scots
James Geddes |
GEDDES, JAMES, an advocate of the Scottish
bar, was born in the county of Tweeddale, about the year 1710, and being the
son of a gentleman in good circumstances, was educated by tutors under his
father’s roof. The progress which he made in the learned languages and
philosophy, was considered extraordinary; and he fulfilled every promise at
the university of Edinburgh, where he distinguished himself, particularly in
mathematics, which he studied under the celebrated Maclaurie. Having
prepared himself for the bar, he entered as an advocate, and soon acquired
considerable reputation. His labours as a lawyer did not prevent him from
devoting much time to his favourite studies – the poets, philosophers, and
historians of antiquity; and in 1748, he published at Glasgow his "Essay on
the Composition and Manner of Writing of the Ancients, particularly Plato."
The year after this publication, he died of lingering consumption, much
regretted, both on account of his learning – the fruits of which had not
been fully given to the world – and for his manners and disposition which
were in the highest degree amiable. |
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